The Missouri Mavericks dropped their Central Hockey League playoff opener Wednesday night losing to the fifth seeded Wichita Thunder 2-1. The Mavs are the number four seed.

Thunder goalie Marc-Antoine Gelinas made several big saves, and Troy Schwab and Matt Robinson scored for Wichita. Robinson’s goal came on the power play.

Arena availability resulted in the Thunder getting the first home game in the odd 1-2-1-1 format. Games two and three will be played at the Independence Center.